How to Clean Carpet Stains Naturally

Cleaning stains from carpets can be done safely and effectively using natural ingredients. Many homeowners opt to use natural carpet cleaning products due to environmental concerns, allergies, cost, and child safety. Natural carpet cleaning ingredients are capable of removing a variety of stains and odors. Fortunately, natural products can be purchased at most grocery stores for a fraction of the price of chemical cleaners. The following steps will explain how to clean carpet stains naturally.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Vinegar
• Club soda
• Borax
• Salt
• Dry cloth
• Vacuum
• Corn starch

Instructions

1. Treat light stains. Fill a squirt bottle with one part vinegar and one part water. Spray the mixture directly on the stained portion of the carpet. Let mixture set for 10 minutes. Use a soft nylon brush to gently brush the stain from the carpet. Use a towel dampened with water to gently wipe up the remaining mixture. Blot dry with a clean cloth.

2. Remove heavy stains. Combine 1/2-cup borax, 1/2-cup salt, and 1/2-cup vinegar in a medium size bowl. Stir mixture until it becomes a paste. Apply a generous amount of the mixture to the stain. Gently work the paste into the stained area until it is saturated. Allow to set for 2 hours. Vacuum the dried mixture from the carpet. Use a dampened cloth to remove any leftover residue, and blot dry.

3. Remove fresh stains. Pour a generous amount of club soda directly on the stain. Use a dry cloth to gently blot the area. Repeat this process as many times as necessary until the stain is completely removed. Finish by blotting the area with a clean dry cloth until it is dry to the touch.

4. Clean up pet urine stains. Use a dry cloth or paper towel to soak up the urine as much as possible. Combine 1 1/2-qt warm water with 1-cup vinegar in a medium tub. Use a sponge to apply mixture to the stained area. Rub the mixture into the carpet, and rinse sponge between applications. Use a dry cloth to blot away any remaining moisture. When carpet is completely dry, sprinkle baking soda on the area where the stain was located. Leave on for 20 minutes. Vacuum the area thoroughly. The mixture of vinegar and baking soda will kill bacteria and eliminate the urine odor.

5. Remove grease stains. Place an absorbent towel on top of the grease stain to absorb excess moisture. Do not press the towel into the carpet. Doing so will embed the grease stain further into the carpet. Remove the towel. Pour a generous amount of corn starch on the stain. Allow to set for 24 hours. Vacuum up the remaining corn starch. Use a soft nylon brush to remove any remaining debris from the carpet fibers.

Tips & Warnings

• Do a colorfastness patch test before applying a cleaning agent to the carpet.